WELCOME
The Institute of Masters of Wine is the home of exceptional expertise in the wine world. What started 70 years ago as an exam for the UK wine trade is now a globally recognised title collectively held by a worldwide family of Masters of Wine. Today, there are 415 MWs based in 31 countries, each making their own contribution to the world of wine. Becoming an MW means entering a unique wine community; one that brings enriching personal and professional opportunities, as well as lifelong friendships.
ABOUT US
The IMW’s mission is to promote excellence, interaction, and learning across all sectors of the global wine community. As well as running the MW study programme, our programme of worldwide events offers unparalleled opportunities to taste and learn. These tastings and seminars, including our international symposium, are open for anyone to attend – you don’t have to be a Master of Wine to join in.
FIND AN MW
The IMW’s directory of Masters of Wine allows you to search not just by name, but also by skills and specialisms. MWs are active all over the world and in all fields; MWs are winemakers, sommeliers, buyers, journalists, shippers, consultants, viticulturalists, academics, educators and more. If you are looking for an MW in a particular country, expert comment on a specific style of wine, a speaker for your event, or experienced commercial advice, look no further.
THE MW EXAM
The MW exam tests the breadth and depth of a candidate’s theoretical knowledge and tasting skills in the art, science and business of wine. By passing the MW exam, you become a member of the IMW, gain the title Master of Wine and can use the initials MW after your name. The MW exam is a series of tasting and theory papers, plus an in-depth research project. You can find out about all stages of the exam, as well as downloading past papers, by clicking below.
Latest News
The Institute of Masters of Wine marks 70 years since the first MW exam
“I was taking the Bakerloo line on the first morning of the exam filled with obvious nerves and tension. The train stalled pulling out of Oxford Circus and we were held there for a number of minutes, my stress levels rising accordingly. The train driver got out and...
Features
MW students visit iconic wine regions as part of AXA Millesimes Scholarship
Having won places in 2020 on the coveted AXA Millésimes Scholarship trip by writing an essay on the potential of still white wines in the Douro, five MW students – Cherie Huang (U.S.), Nicoletta Dicova (Italy), Tiago Macena (Portugal), Fleur Pushack (U.K.) and Elena...
Two Master of Wine students awarded Feudi di San Gregorio scholarship
Two Master of Wine students, Amanda Barnes and Philipp Pfunder, have been selected for the 2023 Feudi di San Gregorio scholarship. Amanda and Philipp are stage two students and will receive £1,500 each to support their MW studies. Founded in 1986 in Campania, Southern...
Catena Institute of Wine becomes a research and industry associate of the IMW
Catena Institute of Wine has become an academic and research associate of the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW). Catena becomes the third research and industry associate to join the IMW’s mission to promote excellence, interaction and learning across all sectors of...
67 Pall Mall joins the IMW international supporter community
The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) is delighted to announce 67 Pall Mall as an international supporter. 67 Pall Mall is the world’s first group of Private Members’ Clubs exclusively for wine lovers. The Club opened its doors in the heart of London in December...
Two new Masters of Wine
Wojciech Bońkowski MW and Joshua Grainer MW have achieved the title of Masters of Wine. Announced by the Institute of Masters of Wine today (24 February), the new members of the IMW are based in Poland and USA respectively. Wojciech Bońkowski is the first MW to be...
Champagne Bollinger welcomes 2022 Madame Bollinger Medal winner Heidi Iren Hansen MW to visit the House
On Thursday 20th April 2023, Champagne Bollinger was delighted to welcome the 2022 Institute of Masters of Wine Madame Bollinger Medal winner, Heidi Iren Hansen MW, to the House in Aÿ in Champagne. The visit was hosted by Charles-Armand de Belenet, Managing Director...
RISE Climate & Wine Symposium Launches April 5
RISE (Resilience, Innovation, Sustainability, Empowerment), co-founded by Martin Reyes MW, launches its Climate & Wine symposium this April 5. You can read the full press release from RISE below. Contact: Megan Scott RISE@napagreen.org (707) 200-7813 Over 60...
Dr. Josef Schuller MW wins the Vinitaly International Award 2023
The prestigious Vinitaly International Award was initiated in 1996 and is annually awarded by Veronafiere to an international company or personality for their special contributions to the world of wine. Amongst the recipients in the past were personalities such as...
Igor Ryjenkov MW joins MW tasting panel of Canadian wine members club
Igor Ryjenkov MW joined the MW submissions’ tasting panel of Opimian Wine Club, Canada, a membership-based club that just celebrated its 50th year of business, and that has leveraged MW expertise in selecting the best of what the wine world has to offer for its...
Latest News
The Institute of Masters of Wine marks 70 years since the first MW exam
“I was taking the Bakerloo line on the first morning of the exam filled with obvious nerves and tension. The train stalled pulling out of Oxford Circus and we were held there for a number of minutes, my stress levels rising accordingly. The train driver got out and...
Two Master of Wine students awarded Feudi di San Gregorio scholarship
Two Master of Wine students, Amanda Barnes and Philipp Pfunder, have been selected for the 2023 Feudi di San Gregorio scholarship. Amanda and Philipp are stage two students and will receive £1,500 each to support their MW studies. Founded in 1986 in Campania, Southern...
67 Pall Mall joins the IMW international supporter community
The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) is delighted to announce 67 Pall Mall as an international supporter. 67 Pall Mall is the world’s first group of Private Members’ Clubs exclusively for wine lovers. The Club opened its doors in the heart of London in December...
Catena Institute of Wine becomes a research and industry associate of the IMW
Catena Institute of Wine has become an academic and research associate of the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW). Catena becomes the third research and industry associate to join the IMW’s mission to promote excellence, interaction and learning across all sectors of...
Features
MW students visit iconic wine regions as part of AXA Millesimes Scholarship
Having won places in 2020 on the coveted AXA Millésimes Scholarship trip by writing an essay on the potential of still white wines in the Douro, five MW students – Cherie Huang (U.S.), Nicoletta Dicova (Italy), Tiago Macena (Portugal), Fleur Pushack (U.K.) and Elena...
Champagne Bollinger welcomes 2022 Madame Bollinger Medal winner Heidi Iren Hansen MW to visit the House
On Thursday 20th April 2023, Champagne Bollinger was delighted to welcome the 2022 Institute of Masters of Wine Madame Bollinger Medal winner, Heidi Iren Hansen MW, to the House in Aÿ in Champagne. The visit was hosted by Charles-Armand de Belenet, Managing Director...
Dr. Josef Schuller MW wins the Vinitaly International Award 2023
The prestigious Vinitaly International Award was initiated in 1996 and is annually awarded by Veronafiere to an international company or personality for their special contributions to the world of wine. Amongst the recipients in the past were personalities such as...
RISE Climate & Wine Symposium Launches April 5
RISE (Resilience, Innovation, Sustainability, Empowerment), co-founded by Martin Reyes MW, launches its Climate & Wine symposium this April 5. You can read the full press release from RISE below. Contact: Megan Scott RISE@napagreen.org (707) 200-7813 Over 60...
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